Pediatric Bone Health Center / DXA Services

The Carrie Tingley Pediatric Bone Health Center is unique in the state to offer DXA services (evaluation of bone mineral density) in a child-friendly environment. Our technician, Debra Harriman, is specially trained in DXA scanning of children, and we are one of the few centers in the nation to offer Lateral Distal Femur DXA scan.

This specific scan allows the child to lie on his/her side, hugging a pillow or toy, which, for many children, is less threatening than lying supine on an exam table. It is also instrumental in studying children with joint contractures, such as those with cerebral palsy.

An NIH study showed that some 60% of children who were studied at an adult DXA facility were given erroneous diagnoses, likely to be labeled as "osteoporotic" when, in fact, the bone density was within normal range for age. CTH uses specific pediatric DXA databases, and patient size, bone age, and other issues are taken into consideration diagnostically. All DXAs are individually interpreted and a dictated report is generated by Dr. Elizabeth Szalay, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon who is certified by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry.

A doctor's order is required for the study. Patients who may be indicated for DXA scan are children who have had >2 childhood fractures (especially absent significant traumatic events), children on steroids, chemotherapy, long-term seizure or reflux medications, and those with impaired mobility, anorexia, renal failure, organ transplantation, rheumatological conditions and other chronic illnesses.

We also offer DXA scanning for special needs adults, such as adults with cerebral palsy.

Contact Information:

To make referral please:

• Phone Debra at (505)272-5068
• Fax orders to (505)272-1261